But here in the West, minorities faced almost no persecution ever.
You mean you’ve never experienced or witnessed any persecution.
Well, let’s see. We could go back to “no Irish need apply.”
Until the Truman administration, blacks were only allowed to serve in the military in support activities, such as cooks, drivers or mechanics, and didn’t receive the same veteran’s benefits as those who served in combat roles.
Until the late 20th century, blacks were not allowed to buy homes in certain neighborhoods. Not only couldn’t they get a mortgage, but there were often covenants prohibiting sales to blacks. If they dared to move in, they were usually harassed, threatened or targeted for vandalism, while the police just stood by saying there was nothing they could do. This, by the way, was not limited to the South, but common in many of the suburbs and neighborhoods in Minneapolis and other northern cities.
Until the late 20th century, being a known homosexual in a government position meant you couldn’t get a security clearance, because of the belief that you could be blackmailed. Of course, blackmail would only work if your neighbors and workplace were anti-gay.
Farmers and other employers willingly, even eagerly, hire illegal immigrants, because they can pay them almost nothing, don’t have to pay attention to OSHA or other government regulations, and can just say, “thanks for all your help, now get the hell out of here,” when they’re no longer needed.
Persecution isn’t limited to physical harassment or assault. There are plenty of microaggressions that make it clear a POC is not considered “one of us” or “part of the group.”
